Through Gabriel Kenedi
Published on 29 Jan 19 at 7:18
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In project for several years, the direct flight between Toulouse-Blagnac airport and New-York is slow to materialize. In October 2017, the airport announced that a direct line to the Big Apple could see the light of day in 2019. But if this project is slow to see the light of day, it is nevertheless far from being buried. We take stock.
But where has New York gone?
Tuesday 22 January 2019, during his back-to-school press conference, the airport did not mention the name of New York among the new destinations planned for 2019 nor in its plans to open lines. Are we to believe that the New York dream of Toulouse airport has taken its toll?
Recall that in 2013, to encourage airlines, the airport launched a promotional campaign on Facebook, entitled « We love NY, we want NY » in order to invite Toulouse residents to show their interest in this line. Several thousand people answered the call by signing the petition for the creation of this theft.
In difficulty, XL Airways “will not do it”
Until now, the airport was in discussions with the company XL Airways, specializing in low-cost, long-haul direct flights between France and the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and the United States. The French low-cost company, for example, offers flights Marseille-Reunion or Nantes-Martinique. And since Paris, XL Airways offers flights to New-York, The Angels, Miami or San Francisco, to the United States.
In short, XL Airways seemed the ideal candidate to charter a direct flight between New York and Toulouse during the high season, in June, July and August. But the airline would experience significant financial difficulties. According to The gallery, “The 2017-2018 financial year, which ended at the end of September, ended with heavy operating losses »And has even been looking for a buyer since the end of 2018. And according to the specialized press, the China would now be the company’s number one priority.
Last Tuesday, Catherine Gay, director of aeronautical development in Toulouse, has also buried the runway leading to XL Airways:
XL Airways could serve such destinations for three months. But today, she won’t.
Towards a New York flight all year round?
According to Catherine Gay, the companies being able to serve a direct flight to New York from a provincial town “is becoming increasingly rare”. The airport therefore changes strategy and tries to convince an American company to operate a regular flight all year round.
Instead, we focus on a New York year-round flight with American Airlines. But you need a lot of inter-United States connections that would allow us to be able to support this line four times a week, which would be profitable for an American company. It’s complicated in the provinces to have a flight to New York all year round. American Airlines should, but I’m speaking in the conditional, be a likely operator to do so.
American Airlines is simply the first airline of the United States, with a turnover of 44.54 billion dollars. It serves more than 40 countries around the world.
Catherine Gay adds: ” New York is the dream of all Toulouse residents. We will not let go of this destination ”.
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